Smooth ing-tool for phonogram-blanks



(No Model.) 4

T-. A. EDISON. SMOOTHING TOOL FOR PHONOGRAM BLANKS. No. 457,344. IPatented-Aug. 11, 189.1.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS A. EDISON, OF LLEWELLYN PARK, NEWV JERSEY.

SMOOTHlNG-TOOL FOR PHON OGRAM-BLANKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 457,344, dated August11, 1891.

Application filed November 21, 1890. Serial No. 372.228. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ALVA EDISON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Llewellyn Park, in the county of Essex and State of NewJersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inPhonographs, (Case No. 892,) of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to means for giving a true surface tophonogram-blanks of cylindrical or other form; and the inventionconsists in an apparatus, hereinafter described and claimed, foraccomplishing the result named. Said apparatus consists of a smoothingor evening tool extending the entire length of the phonogram-blank andhaving means for delicately adjusting the same toward the blank, wherebythe surface may be smoothed or evened throughout its entire extent by asingle revolution of the blank. As is well known, it is customary in thephonographs now in use to turn off the surface of a blank by means of anarrow knife. This is done before the blank is used, or is donesimultaneously with use, the cutting-tool being in advance of therecorder. The first plan is somewhat objectionable, owing to the timeconsumed in turning off the surface, and the second is somewhatobjectionable, owing to the dust produced by the cutting-off tool, whichmay interfere slightly with the operation of the recorder. Both of theseobjections are obviated by the present improve.

ment.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates one form'ot'apparatus embodying the improvement, and Fig. 2 a slightly-modifiedform.

1 is the phonograph-shaft, adapted to be turned by any suitable means.

2 is the phonogram-blank, the surface of which it is desired to rendersmooth and even.

3 is an ironing wheel or cylinder, which extends the whole length of thephonogramblank and which is supported by the arms 4, pivoted at 5.

6 is a handle, and 7 is a screw for moving the cylinder 3 slowly towardthe surface of the blank.

In using this apparatus the surface of the blank is, or may be, slightlywarmed to soften it.

In Fig. 2 a tool with a cutting-edge 8 has been substituted for theironing-cylinder. 9 is a screw for limiting the backward movement ofsaid tool, and 10 is a Worm-gearing, or other speed-reducing gearing,for moving the knife slowly toward the cylinder.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is 1. The combination,with a phonograph having a phonogram-blank, of a smoothing .or eveningtool extending across the blank,

whereby the surface may be made smooth at one operation, substantiallyas described.

2. The combination, with a phonograph having a phonogram-blank, of asmoothing or evening tool extending across the blank, and means foradjusting the tool toward the surface'thereof, whereby the entiresurface may be made smooth by one turn of the blank, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination, with a phonograph having a.phonogram-blank, of asmoothingtool consisting of an ironing-cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

4. The combination, with a phonograph having a phonogram-blank, of asmoothingtool extending across the blank and pivoted adjacent thereto,and means for turning the tool on its pivot to move it toward the blank,substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a phonograph having a phonogram-blank, of asmoothingtool extending across the blank and supported adjacent thereto,and a speed-reducing gear for moving the tool toward the blank,substantially as described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 17th day of November, 1890.

THOS. A. EDISON.

Witnesses:

HARRY F. MILLER, THOMAS MAGUIRE.

